Duan Jiude, a 22-year-old man from Jin Hai City, is currently an obscure pioneer with little renown. He works for the Jin Tian Hunter Company and recently broke up with his girlfriend, Xu Rong, under gossip-worthy circumstances, which he alone knows. He now resides with several colleagues in the Bayview Resort area.
As for Xu Sihai, the individual you requested, there is no current information on his whereabouts. Some say he perished at the jaws of an otherworldly creature.
After reading the message from Ye Gou, Xu Que couldn't help but smile.
"This kid's as reliable as ever!"
He disregarded the rumors about Xu Sihai's possible death. After all, this man wasn't so easily vanquished! In fact, in his past life, Xu Sihai had deceived him more times than he cared to count, even pretending to be his cousin at one point.
Xu Que quickly replied, "Thanks. Make sure you focus on your training these next few days. Once the Rift is over, I'm taking you abroad for some real action!"
On the other end, Ye Gou, upon receiving the message, immediately tossed his phone aside. He knew all too well that when his boss made a promise, there was no room for doubt.
Glancing at the lavish lifestyle before him, Ye Gou peeled off his shirt and dove into the pool, surrounded by beautiful women, laughing and reveling in the moment.
Ever since he returned with Xu Que, his once hopeless father had seemed to suddenly awaken, providing Ye Gou with this life of indulgence. Not only that, but his father was now even scouting out suitable young women from reputable families, claiming that the old man wanted him to settle down early...
Of course, Ye Gou wasn't foolish enough to fall for that line. His old man, who used to restrict his pleasures, clearly had his own agenda now. And since the fall of Tian Yuan, such luxuries had been reserved for the likes of Ye Huan and Ye Xiang; it was finally Ye Gou's turn. If he didn't take full advantage of it now, he'd be doing a disservice to his status!
Meanwhile, Xu Que, oblivious to Ye Gou's musings, continued forging armor. If he had known what was on Ye Gou's mind, he would have simply chuckled. Once you boarded his ship, there was no going back, unless, of course, death came first.
An hour later, Xu Que, having crafted four B-grade Xiongte Armor sets and twenty standard B-grade pieces, stored them in his contact's warehouse. He then sent a message to Shen Mengchu.
As he stepped out of the Jingyu Building, Murong Xuan'er was leaning against a luxury G-Wagon, smiling at him.
"Busy man, finally done?" she purred, her voice a perfect blend of sweetness and allure.
"Yeah, haven't you gone back yet? Waiting for me on purpose?" Xu Que asked knowingly.
"Do you mean to suggest I'm the kind of woman who can't find a man?" Murong Xuan'er teased with a laugh. "The Red Moon tonight is so beautiful; why don't we have a chat under it?"
Xu Que smiled, well aware of her game. Although she lacked Liang Jinyu's business acumen, she was sharp in other ways. If he let her get too close, Shen Mengchu's position might be in jeopardy. After all, the Murong family was no less powerful than the Ye family.
"Talk about what?" Xu Que asked with a smile.
"Get in the car," Murong Xuan'er suggested. "I've been wanting to see the sea view of Mo Du."
"I'd rather not get in the car. I've got urgent matters to attend to. How about we talk openly instead?" Xu Que suggested.
"Fine," Murong Xuan'er said, closing the car door. Instantly, her playful demeanor shifted, replaced by a confident, almost regal presence. "Your company and Rongyu Corporation offer such high benefits. Don't tell me it's just because you have territory. I've heard some things from Shen Mengchu, and I believe our two companies could form an alliance."
Xu Que nodded slightly, his expression serious. "What kind of cooperation are we talking about? What can you offer me?"
"Territory, the Murong family's network," she answered after a brief pause, adding, "And me."
Xu Que scrutinized her carefully. Honestly, cooperating with the Murong family could benefit him greatly, and he could profit immensely. But if he went ahead with it, how would other companies in the Jingyu Building view him? Moreover, if word got out, wouldn't he just become the ultimate scoundrel?
"I'll need to think about it and talk it over with Shen Mengchu," Xu Que replied.
Murong Xuan'er chuckled teasingly, "Oh? The great number one on the leaderboard is afraid of women now?"
"I'm not afraid, I'm in love," Xu Que responded indifferently.
"Is that so?" Murong Xuan'er smiled, taking in the air as if savoring something. "Although Shen Mengchu and Liang Jinyu wear different perfumes, your scent seems to resemble hers more. Care to explain?"
Xu Que's smile faltered, a chill running through him. Was this woman's nose like a bloodhound's? First, Shen Mengchu had gotten suspicious, and now Murong Xuan'er could tell just by the scent? It was a bit unsettling.
Noticing his discomfort, Murong Xuan'er said, "You needn't view me as your enemy. I don't intend to become your woman, but what's yours is... well, let's say, irresistible. I suppose I'm just left to yield under your influence."
Xu Que's mind raced. The woman was straightforward, bordering on crude, and her words were unsettling.
"Although I don't know what's going on with you and Liang Jinyu, it's obvious she's trying to pull me into whatever game you're playing," Murong Xuan'er continued in her playful, teasing tone. "So, what is it? Do you not want to partake, or are you too afraid to?"
This was the first time Xu Que had encountered such direct provocations, but his rational mind told him this woman was trouble. If he got involved with her, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Ahem, no need to push me," Xu Que said, after a moment of contemplation. "I'll consider it. But if you think you know something about me and Liang Jinyu, why don't you do your own digging? Find out who I really am."
Murong Xuan'er's smile widened at Xu Que's words. She knew exactly what he meant. However, as the task for the night had been completed, there was no need to press further. After all, the art of high-level tea had to be carefully managed—sometimes you brewed it strong, sometimes you let it cool.
"Alright then. I'll wish my future husband a safe journey home," she said with a smile as she opened the car door.
As the G-Wagon drove off, Xu Que couldn't help but twitch his mouth in disbelief.
"That was a masterclass in tea art! If you don't have a decade of experience, you can't serve tea this bitterly sweet!"
Quickly, he grabbed his phone and sent a message to Liang Jinyu. He feared that his backyard might catch fire...
If that happened, the consequences... just thinking about it sent a shiver down his spine.
Although the hellish battlefield wasn't imminent, Xu Que understood Shen Mengchu's other side well.
He clasped his hands in silent prayer to the heavens.
"Please, old man, help me just once more..."
---
The following morning, Xu Que arrived at the Tianze Tower, home of the Dahe Hunter Company.
Though he would have preferred to fly, there had been no flight available last night, and he couldn't afford to bother the military. After all, he was here to kill someone.
Standing atop the Tianze Tower, Xu Que's senses expanded, scanning the building for anyone with abilities. His face soon grew serious.
"Nothing?" Xu Que thought, puzzled. "Could they be at the Xialing Road villa?"
Just as he was about to retract his senses, he felt a familiar aura.
"Huh... What's he doing here?"
It was none other than Chen Jingyu, the same man Xu Que had let go back in Shangjing.
Xu Que had expected the man to stay put in Tianhui, but instead, here he was in Guang City, and it seemed like he held a high position in the Dahe Hunter Company.
But Xu Que didn't waste time investigating Chen Jingyu's whereabouts. His primary goal was to kill Zhao Kunpeng, his sworn enemy. And this time, he wasn't going to let him off easily.